House Resolution No. by Representative Muscarello directs the Louisiana Judicial Council to conduct a comprehensive study on court reporter per-page transcription rates and the potential for digital court reporting as an alternative to traditional methods. The resolution highlights a significant shortage of court reporters in Louisiana, exacerbated by factors such as retirement, uncompetitive salaries, and a declining number of new certifications. This shortage has resulted in delays and backlogs in court proceedings, prompting the need for an evaluation of current transcription rates and the effectiveness of digital recording technologies.

The study will include an assessment of per-page transcription rates across various court types, an analysis of the current use of digital court reporting in Louisiana, and a comparison with practices in other states that have successfully implemented digital recording systems. The Louisiana Judicial Council is tasked with providing recommendations for standardizing rates and potentially amending statutes to facilitate the use of digital court reporting without requiring a certified reporter to be present. A report detailing the findings and recommendations is to be submitted by March 1, 2026, to relevant state officials and legislative committees.